CHAPTER 5.25 NAVIGATION AIDS The work involved in the clearing and marking of navigation channels was cOllateral to that of the pier construction program. At the time construction operations were initiated, there were two existing navigation channels within the lagoon, ome channel beginning at the "Wide Passage" and continuing northerly, the second beginning at the "Deep Entrance" break in the Atoll reef and proceeding in a northwesterly direction to a junction with the first channel. The united channels then continued northerly toward Engebi and other of the northern islands. These channels had at one time been adequately marked with buoys, and additional buoys had been provided in scattered locations off the channels to mark navi- gation hazards within the lagoon. At the beginning of this Project, however, some of these buoys were found to have been lost or destroyed, anc as construction work progressed and water traffic increased, it was found necessary to replace the lost buoys and to provide buoys in new locations as required, both for mooring and navigation. As the pier construction program developed, the work of providing additional channels to provide boat approaches from the lagoon to the various piers was begun. Soundings were taken as part of the survey operation for the approach channels, and as a result of these surveys the location and characteristics of each of the approach channels were determined, including the requirements for marker buoys. This information is tabulated below: TABLE 5.25-1. APPROACH CHANNELS Channel Name Length (Yards) Mean Depth at Bntrance Course Marker Buoys No, Buoys (Fathoms) Red Black 12 3 3 8 6 6 Present or Old Runit 1400 Straight New Rojoa 1500 Dog leg Old Aomon 800s Straight 10 Bokonaarappu 600 Straight 5 3 3 Muzinbaaikku 550 Straight 5 3 3 3 New Engebi (South) 1000 Slight dog leg 5 h h Old Engebi (Main) 1000 Straight 9 3 3 650 Straight 5 3 3 Teiteiripucchi 5-301